One of the remaining obstacles to building Barack Obama’s presidential library in his hometown of Chicago fell away when Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed legislation Friday strengthening the city’s legal ability to build the project on public park land.

…

Bishop Larry Trotter of the roughly 10,000-member Sweet Holy Spirit Church, likened it to a “monument” of hope. U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, a Chicago Democrat, called the library a “significant milestone” for Chicago in an audio statement. Bernita Johnson-Gabriel, head of a neighborhood organization, deemed it a “catalytic” opportunity to generate jobs and create new businesses for area residents.

“This is a wonderful, wonderful opportunity for young people who I’m sure wonder on a daily basis why their community doesn’t have the same amenities as other communities,” she said.